Roughing it in the backcountry is typically a warm-weather activity, but heated yurts can add a measure of comfort in winter.
Seven Ontario provincial parks are now taking reservations for winter yurt rentals. The canvas-covered structures, which sleep six, have heat and electricity. Most are car-accessible.
"A ski-in yurt adventure at Killarney is like having your own personal hut in a silent winter forest," with the added possibility of hearing wolves howl, said park superintendent Chuck Miller.
Sleds are available to carry gear to yurts.
In Quetico Provincial Park, yurts are close to an area populated by snowshoe hares, a food source for lynx. That means Quetico offers "one of the best chances to photograph the elusive Canada lynx in the wild," according to a release.
Other provincial parks with yurts include Algonquin, MacGregor Point, the Pinery, Silent Lake and Windy Lake.
Rentals cost $91.50 per night, not including a reservation fee, said an Ontario Parks spokesperson.
